Duluth News Tribune: ’Dogs sweep Beavers

Published Sunday, January 20, 2008
Amid subzero temperatures, Minnesota Duluth has the hottest winning streak in team history.

UMD won its record 12th straight game behind a four-goal first period in a 6-1 Western Collegiate Hockey Association victory Saturday afternoon over Bemidji State at John S. Glas Fieldhouse in frigid Bemidji, Minn.

The second-ranked Bulldogs (20-3-1, 17-3 WCHA) topped the 11-game winning streak from the 1999-2000 season. UMD hasn’t lost since Nov. 18 to Minnesota. The Bulldogs beat the Beavers5-1 Friday night.

“That is awesome,” said UMD coach Shannon Miller as she first heard about the record-setting streak. “I will have to tell the team. It is mostly due to great goaltending, good team chemistry and work ethic. That is very exciting.”

UMD also has winning streaks of 10 games, nine games and five eight-game runs during its nine-year history. The 1999-2000 run expanded to a 21-gameunbeaten mark.

Sophomore Elin Holmlov, who has centered the first line in the absence of injuredforward Saara Tuominen, scored two goals in the first five minutes as UMD burst to a 3-0 lead.

UMD, which leads the WCHA with 34 points, peppered the Beavers with a44-7 shots advantage, including a21-2 assault in the second period.

“We had tremendous speed in our offensive attack,” Miller said. “We used all of our people in the offensive zone and had a lot of creative attacks.”

UMD freshman standout Iya Gavrilova had her nine-game goal-scoring streak snapped. The streak tied a school record.

Laura Fridfinnson, Haley Irwin, Myriam Trepanier and Tara Gray also scored for UMD.

Julie Rising scored the lone goal for Bemidji State (4-19-3, 1-17-2).

FINALLY, The UMD Women return home this week for two games against North Dakota! They haven't played at the DECC since December 8th/9th's sweep against Ohio State.